On the weekend of October 9 and 10, in more than 80 congregations throughout New York City, faith leaders called for the City Council to take a stand for economic justice and pass the Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act. Living Wage Weekend was part of a larger movement to raise wages throughout the city, starting with those working in publicly subsidized developments.

With the rich, getting richer, the wages for average Americans stagnant and the poor getting poorer trying to live on $7.25 the minimum wage, Living Wage NYC is at the forefront of a campaign to make corporations receiving subsidies, which come from taxpayer dollars pay a living wage with benefits, respect their employees’ right to organize a union without threat or intimidation and provide affordable community space for much needed community services, such as job training, youth services, English as a Second Language classes, financial counseling, etc. The fight is about money, but it’s really more than that. The concept is that work should be rewarded, and no one who works full time should be destined to live in poverty.

Councilmembers, community and labor leaders participated in the weekend services. One of the churches participating was Convent Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem. You can view a video, of the sermon delivered by Pastor Jesse T. Williams Jr. at www.thepositivecommunity and learn more about this important initiative at http://livingwagenyc.org/updates/detail.